Setting up metafields for your custom documents

What are metafields & why ShopDocs uses them

Metafields are custom fields you can add in Shopify to store extra information that doesn't fit into the standard fields. There are two types relevant here: store-level metafields (for things like your ABN, business registration number, or licence details) and product-level metafields (for details specific to each item you sell).

ShopDocs uses these metafields to automatically pull your business details into your invoices, receipts, and packing slips, so you only need to enter the information once. This also allows you to add product-specific details to each line item in your custom tax invoice or packing slip, such as country of origin, weight, or care instructions.

Setting up metafields in Shopify

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Metafields and metaobjects.

2. Choose the relevant section — Products (for product-specific details like country of origin or weight) or Customers (for details like a customer's ABN).

3. Click Add definition.

4. Give the metafield a name (e.g., "Country of Origin" or "ABN") and select a content type (text, number, etc.).

5. Save the definition. It will now appear as a field on the relevant product or customer record.

6. Enter the value for each product or customer as needed.

Core metafields ShopDocs supports

Product-level metafields

Set per product, useful for line items on invoices and packing slips:

• Country of origin
• Weight or dimensions
• Care instructions
• Custom SKU or batch/lot number

Customer-level metafields

Optional, mainly for B2B invoicing:

• Customer ABN (recommended for sales of $1,000 or more)

Business-level details

Entered directly in ShopDocs, not via Shopify metafields:

• Your business name, ABN, and registration details
• Custom terms, return policy text, or licence numbers

Industry examples

Wine & liquor

Product metafield: liquor licence number, vintage/batch number, tasting notes

• Display batch numbers on packing slips for traceability
• Add a food pairing suggestion metafield (e.g., "Pairs well with: aged cheeses, grilled lamb") shown on the packing slip or receipt as a nice customer touch

Apparel & fashion

Product metafield: care instructions, fabric composition, country of origin

• Include care labels on packing slips so customers have washing instructions handy

Food & grocery

Product metafield: allergen information, ingredients, best-before/use-by details

• Print allergen warnings directly on the packing slip for each item

Electronics & services

Product metafield: warranty period, serial number, support/setup link

• Show warranty terms on the invoice as proof of cover
• A metafield storing a URL to setup instructions or a support page — rendered as a QR code on the packing slip (coming soon)

Troubleshooting

My metafield isn't showing on the document

• Double-check the metafield definition's namespace and key match what ShopDocs expects (see the field reference list above)
• Make sure a value has been entered for the specific product or customer — empty metafields won't display
• Confirm you've saved and re-downloaded your document templates after adding new metafield values

The value looks wrong or cut off

• Check the content type of your metafield (e.g., text vs. rich text) — rich text formatting may not display as expected on documents
• For numbers or dates, ensure the format matches what's expected (e.g., dates as DD/MM/YYYY)

I can't find Metafields and metaobjects in my Shopify admin

• This feature requires Online Store 2.0 themes and may vary slightly depending on your Shopify plan